Tourist Places in Chitkul

If you are looking for someplace to visit in the mountains and are bored of all the ordinary hill stations, then Chitkul is the place you should plan to visit next. It is a small village in the hills of Himachal Pradesh and has proved to be a mesmerizing and classic tourist spot. The best part about Chitkul is that it is just 24 km from the last village of old Hindustan, Sangola.Chitkul is located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

The sight and beauty that Chitkul offers to its tourists are breathtaking, and apart from that, there are many other adventurous things that tourists can do there. According to a recently released report on air quality in different cities in India, Chitkul topped the list for the cleanest air. Let us move on to the list of tourist places in Chitkul that one must visit if one is visiting Chitkul. They are as follows:

Top Places to Visit in Chitkul

1. Mathi Temple

Mathi temple holds a very important place in the heart of the local people of Chitkul. It is because, for the local people of Chitkul, Mathi is their goddess, and this Mathi temple is dedicated to her. There is a story that is very prevalent in Chitkul. The story states that when the Goddess Mathi started her quest from Vrindavan via Mathura to reach Tibbet, she came across seven provinces. These provinces are located in the valley of Barua Khad. After appointing deities to guard each of these seven provinces, she reached the small village of Chitkul. It is said that she took a rest here, which is the reason behind the construction of this Mathi Temple.

After the Goddess Mathi reached Chitkul, the village started prospering, and grass and food grew there in large amounts. Because of that, it became very easy for the cattle owners to feed their cattle. It is said that this temple was built in the 5th century. So, if you are a religious person, then Mathi Temple is something that you must visit once as it is said that it brings good luck to you.

Initially, the temple was made of walnut wood, but now, with time, the local people have covered this entire temple with some clothes and yak tail tufts. To reach this temple, you must take Sangla - Chitkul road. There is no entry fee charged to enter the temple. The time to visit the temple is from 9 AM to 5 PM.

2. Charang Chitkul Pass

If you are a person who loves adventure, then Charang Chitkul Pass Trek becomes a must-do thing in Chitkul. It is considered one of the very famous treks of the Himachal Pradesh. The trek will be around 12 days, and the distance that needs to be covered is 60 Kilometers. The trek's peak or destination is at a height of 5242 m, and therefore, it is advised to go there while taking all the safety measures. This trek is not just one of the best treks of Chitkul but is a very famous trek all over India, and all trek lovers want to go there at least once in their lives.

The view of the mountains and the meadows is undoubtedly a mesmerizing experience, but there are many other things that tourists will love. For instance, these places include Buddhist Monasteries and beautiful vineyards, etc. Trekkers also get to see Kinnaur Kailash Mountain during the trek and also get the chance to visit the highest cricket pitch available in Chail, calledthe Chail Cricket Ground.

3. Kagyupa Temple

Kagyupa temple is another sacred place famous in the village of Chitkul. There are many similarities between this temple and the Mathi temple. This temple is also made of walnut wood, just like the Mathi Temple. Apart from that, there are designs carved all over the temple's wooden structure, which are unique. Inside the temple is a very old and beautiful idol of Shakyamuni Buddha.The doors of the temple have carvings of four kings in four directions.

Now, you must know that Kagyupa mainly acts as a school, not an ordinary one, but a school of Tibetan Buddhism. There are, in total, 6 schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Kagyupa comes from the word Kagyu, which means "Whispered Transmission". The traces of these schools can be found in the 11th century.

4. Baspa River & Camps

Baspa River originates from the perennial glaciers and flows through the valley named Baspa. This valley is named Baspa because the Baspa River passes through it. Baspa River meets one of India's very famous and sacred rivers, named Ganga, near a place called Karcham.

The front view of this river creates a mesmerizing view, and tourists love this. Tourists often visit here for peace and natural beauty. Undoubtedly, the valley of Baspa plays a major role in creating such a scenic view and tourists join each other in small camps. This whole valley is covered with beautiful Oak trees and pine trees. This forest makes this valley even more beautiful and offers tourists a breathtaking view while traveling.

There are a lot of reasons to love the Himalayas, and it would be unfair not to mention the most interesting activity or, say, faith, which is very popular in the Himalayan region. It is said that if you are visiting here in Chitkul, and if you have any wish, then you can stack seven pebbles over one another and make your wish in front of it. It is believed that by doing so, there are very high chances that your wish will be granted. However, it is all about faith; therefore, many do not believe in it but still do so for fun and enjoyment.

But there is a special place dedicated to this: the bank of the river Baspa. What's interesting here is that when you reach the bank of this river, you will see a lot of pebbles stacked, just like we mentioned above. This is something you will enjoy for sure.

5. Sangla Meadows

The next tourist spot in Chitkul, which you should not miss at any cost if you want to see one of the most beautiful creations of God, is Sangla Meadows. Sangla Meadows is covered with lush green fields, and the beauty of it when it is met with blue skies is unmatchable and cannot be described in some words. It may be one of the best parts of your whole Chitkul trip.

Himalaya Mountains in the background covered in snow enhance the beauty of this meadow to the next level and feel like some dream coming true. It is a great place to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Tourists visit this place and capture the beauty with their cameras. The scenic beauty of this meadow makes it a must-visit spot on the list.

6. Kamru Fort

The next tourist spot of Chitkul is the Kamru Fort, situated very close to the valley named Sangla. The distance between these two is just about 1 to 2 Km. Before entering the main fort, there are many doors in between and one has to cross all of them to reach the fort. Besides, just after entering the fort, one can see a beautiful idol of Buddha. Inside the fort is a balcony from where tourists get to see a beautiful view of the Himalayan Mountains.

Notably, you cannot enter this fort in your normal clothes as there is a tradition in which it is compulsory to wear a Kinnauri capon your head and to wrap a special cloth named Gacchi around your waist. This makes this place more interesting because tourists get a chance to wear the traditional clothes of Chitkul and connect themselves more to this place. There is also a beautiful temple dedicated to Kamakshi Devi in the center of the fort.

Fortunately, you will not be charged any entrance fee here. If you are planning to visit Chitkul and want to see the traditions of this place and are also interested in the ancient history of this place, then Kamru Fort is the best place to go.

7. Bering Nag Temple

Another famous temple mainly known for a fair called Phulaich, which this temple hosts, is the Bering Nag Temple. It is a very famous spot among the tourists and religious Hindu devotees. The devotees from all over the country visit this temple, especially during the fair (or during August and September). Reaching this temple is also very convenient as you can rent a car or use a regular transport bus to go there. This temple is situated in the district of Himachal Pradesh named Kinnauri.

There are some other temples in the same village where this temple is situated, among which the temples of Badrinarayan and Vishnu Narayan jee are notable. There is also a fort named Sapni Fort near the Bering Nag Temple.

8. Buddhist Monastery

Another perfect spot you must visit to experience peace and beauty simultaneously is this famous Buddhist Monastery close to Sangla village. This monastery was built in the year 1992. The reason behind constructing this beautiful monastery was to perform a ceremony called Kalachakra for the Dalai Lama. The Maha Bodhi society created it. The best part about this monastery is that there is a beautiful statue of a standing Buddha, which is very uncommon as you will see statues of sitting Buddha in most places. The height of this standing statue of Buddha is 10 meters.

However, if you are planning to visit here, then you must prepare yourself for a long walk to reach the monastery. Therefore, it is advisable to keep enough water for yourself before going there. This monastery is also calledBrelengi Gompa. If you go there then undoubtedly it will be a great experience for you.

9. Tibetan Wood Carving Centre

If you are interested in arts and crafts then the next spot on the list is one you will surely love. This place is famous for its quality wood carving and is called the Tibetan Wood Carving Centre. Wood carving is undoubtedly a very tough job, and it also takes a lot of time and patience to learn. However, looking at these beautiful wood carvings done in Tibetan style does not take anything.

Tourists not only from India but from all over the world come here to see the amazing wood carvings, especially hand carvings. Tourists can also buy one if they want to. In this way, the people living there earn money for livelihood and to improve this place. Apart from this Wood carving Centre, you can also see Badrinarayan and Vishnu Narayan Temple as they cross the route. This place is located in the Sangla village. You will not be charged any entry fee here.

10. Rakcham Landscapes

One of the beautiful places of Chitkul is the Rakcham Landscapes. These landscapes include some beautiful mountains with steep slopes. What enhances the beauty of this place is when it meets the blue skies, creating a breathtaking scenic view. There are a huge number of pine trees as well as apple orchards covering all the slopes. It is so beautiful that you will be completely free from daily worries and feel relaxed from the hustle and bustle of regular life.

Tourists visit here with their friends and family, and photographers from all over the country come here to capture this heavenly view with their cameras. However, if you visit this place in winter, you will encounter a different view as it is fully covered with snow. This, too, enhances the beauty of it. So, you can enjoy the place and its beautiful views even in different seasons. Reaching here is also very convenient, and you can take your car or any local bus.

Ways to Reach Chitkul

Chitkul is a remote village in the Himachal Pradesh region, and it's not directly connected by rail or airways. The nearest transportation hubs are as follows:

• Nearest Bus Stop: The nearest major bus stop to Chitkul is in Reckong Peo, which is approximately 70 kilometers away. From Reckong Peo, you can find buses and shared cabs that operate to Chitkul.
• Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway station to Chitkul is Shimla Railway Station. From Shimla, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Chitkul. The journey from Shimla to Chitkul by road is about 250 kilometers and takes approximately 9-10 hours.
• Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to Chitkul is Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla. From the airport, you can travel by road to Chitkul. However, the airport has limited flight connections, so you may need to connect through major airports like Delhi or Chandigarh.

It's important to note that Chitkul is a high-altitude destination, and road conditions can vary, especially during the winter months when heavy snowfall can make the route inaccessible. It's advisable to check the current road conditions and weather before planning your trip to Chitkul.